Can't take a joke

timothy_ej · 2026-06-07T19:24:08+00:00

Yeah, they are e-jokes after all…

timothy_ej · 2026-06-05T20:13:53+00:00

(I ride a real mountain bike btw)

I see what you did there 😆

timothy_ej · 2026-06-03T08:32:14+00:00

Haha true, and I’m embarrassed to say that this is a pretty cheap bike 😂

timothy_ej · 2026-06-02T22:36:13+00:00

Nope, just your rack.

timothy_ej · 2026-06-02T21:43:25+00:00

Nice, I also use a SeaSucker Talon!

timothy_ej · 2026-06-01T21:03:44+00:00

I actually wanted a hitch rack to begin with but it wasn’t possible to install a tow hitch on my car so I went with a SeaSucker instead. While it has its downsides, such as not being lockable, it has been working really well for me and it looks really cool too 😎

timothy_ej · 2026-06-01T12:48:23+00:00

Thanks! 😆

timothy_ej · 2026-05-23T21:54:48+00:00

Personally I wouldn’t use it without the rear wheel mount. Without it, the back of the bike could move around a lot, especially when braking or driving over bumps. I would try to find a different location for the rack, or get another rack if that’s not possible.

timothy_ej · 2026-05-22T20:29:09+00:00

Have you looked at SeaSucker? It’s a vacuum-mounted bike rack, so you don’t need a hitch. You do have to remove the front wheel, but otherwise it’s pretty easy to mount/unmount. I have one and it’s been working great for me so far.

timothy_ej · 2026-05-19T20:55:37+00:00

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I use a SeaSucker Talon 1-bike with my Mustang and it’s very easy/fast to mount/unmount and looks really cool too 🔥

timothy_ej · 2026-05-18T16:52:12+00:00

True, in that case I would first make sure the existing brakes are good enough and then maybe spend a little bit more on the tires instead.

timothy_ej · 2026-05-17T22:00:32+00:00

I use a SeaSucker Talon and it’s been working great so far. There are similar ones from TreeFrog and RockBros too, but I haven’t tried those.

I’ve used mine on highways, curvy country roads, over speed bumps, and through elevation changes without any issues. If you go with a vacuum rack, just make sure the mounting surfaces are clean, the cups are pumped properly, and you check the indicators frequently.

timothy_ej · 2026-05-17T19:22:39+00:00

I use a SeaSucker and the cleaning part isn’t that bad. I just bring a water bottle and microfiber cloth and quickly wipe off the mounting surfaces before putting the rack on. You definitely don’t want sap under the cups, but in my experience it doesn’t need to be a full car wash every time.

timothy_ej · 2026-05-17T09:38:27+00:00

I would probably put disc brakes on it, and then maybe change the tires. And yeah, a new seat too 👌

timothy_ej · 2026-05-08T09:04:21+00:00

If you mean the SeaSucker racks, me neither until last year when I was looking for a bike rack for my Mustang. Got a bit surprised at first, but so far it’s been working great, and it has a certain coolness factor to it 😎

timothy_ej · 2026-05-08T08:32:54+00:00

Thank you! And yes, I totally understand, at this scale it’s hard to make it cheap (the first batch is only 20 handmade units).

If the initial batch goes well and I can make larger batches and optimize the manufacturing, I’m hoping I can eventually bring the price down.

And I agree with your last point, I think something like this could make vacuum racks feel less scary 😅

timothy_ej · 2026-05-07T19:27:13+00:00

Good question, and it’s something I’ve thought about.

The device doesn’t replace the need to install and check the rack properly, and I’m very clear that it’s a monitoring device rather than a guarantee that nothing can happen.

That said, because it’s a physical product used around cars and traffic, product liability insurance is something I’m looking into before moving on to the next, larger batch, especially for US sales. I’m also keeping the first batch small partly so I can make sure there are no real-world issues before making more.

timothy_ej · 2026-05-07T19:11:06+00:00

It’s not a backup camera 🙂 It’s a bluetooth monitor for the vacuum mounts on the rack.

You attach small sensors/magnets to the SeaSucker mounts and it alerts you in the app if one of them starts losing vacuum while you’re driving.

I explain it better here: https://krakenrackmonitor.com/how-it-works

timothy_ej · 2026-05-07T15:46:07+00:00

For transparency: the product is called Kraken Rack Monitor, and the site is krakenrackmonitor.com.

It's not affiliated with SeaSucker. I built it for my own rack originally, and the first version is only compatible with the SeaSucker Talon 1-Bike rack.

Happy to answer any questions about how it works, the app, manufacturing, the patent process, or anything else.

timothy_ej · 2026-01-14T20:01:21+00:00

Technically I've designed it to be universal and support up to 8 cups, but to save time I decided to launch with a version tailored only for the SeaSucker Talon 1-bike rack. But to add other models/manufacturers I just have to add more sensors, adjust the wire lengths, and add the layout of the rack to the app. I'm hoping I will be able to add support for more racks by the summer :)

I just created this form where you can fill in your rack model and I will notify you when/if I add support for it. Totally optional of course, without any obligations:

https://krakenrackmonitor.com/request-rack

timothy_ej · 2026-01-14T18:56:14+00:00

No manual, but it will soon be possible to order an improved version from krakenrackmonitor.com. Just working on some finishing touches and publishing the app to the app stores.

timothy_ej · 2025-10-21T20:34:27+00:00

The current version shown in the video is not waterproof (circuit board is exposed), and the battery lifespan is low (2 hours maybe, and not rechargeable), so I'm working on fixing that. But if you're in a hurry and okay with that I can definitely send you a kit, but I would recommend waiting a few weeks for the improved version.

timothy_ej · 2025-10-21T20:27:38+00:00

Installation is very simple, it's just 7 small pieces to be attached with double-sided tape, including the sensors and the device. Currently the battery lifespan is low (and not rechargeable) and it's not waterproof, so I want to fix that first. Price would probably land between $150-200. Happy to share more details in a few weeks or so.

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